A Closer Look: how understanding your DNA can help you live longer

A Closer Look is The National's new show where we take a more in-depth look at one of the main stories of the week.

Genetic testing kits have surged in popularity recently in countries such as the UK and the US, as people grow more curious about what their DNA says about them.

Delivered straight to your door, these tests can be done at home and posted directly to the laboratory for analysis.

Now, for the first time, this service is available to residents in the UAE.

Italian company Dante Labs has opened in Dubai and offers to give an insight into how knowledge of your DNA can improve your life.

Could understanding your biology better help you live longer, sleep better or just boost your well-being in general?

We sent health reporter Nick Webster to find out if understanding his genetics could improve his overall health.

Emiratis urged to submit DNA samples for genome project to tackle deadly diseases

Omics gene-sequencing lab in Abu Dhabi to revolutionise health care

The $6 million laboratory opened in January and has the capacity to analyse up to 1,000 samples a week. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
Dante chief executive Andrea Riposati showing how the sequencer machine works at Dante Labs, Silicon Oasis in Dubai.
Home DNA testing is now available in a Dh999 saliva sampling kit provided by the Dante Labs.
The test kit is part of the wider ‘Genetic for Everybody’ project.
Andrea Riposati said the genetic technology has the potential to transform health care.

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

MORE FROM ED HUSAIN: The UAE-Israel accord is a win for every Muslim

'Nope'

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The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000

Engine 3.5L V6

Transmission 10-speed automatic

Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km

While you're here

The National editorial: Turkey's soft power weighs heavy on Europe's Muslims

Con Coughlin: How extremists use Zoom and other tools to exploit pandemic

Nicky Harley: Peace TV preacher Zakir Naik prompts UK hate laws review

BlacKkKlansman

Director: Spike Lee

Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver

Five stars

The biog

Family: wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren

Reads: Newspapers, historical, religious books and biographies

Education: High school in Thatta, a city now in Pakistan

Regrets: Not completing college in Karachi when universities were shut down following protests by freedom fighters for the British to quit India

Happiness: Work on creative ideas, you will also need ideals to make people happy

Monster

Directed by: Anthony Mandler

Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington

3/5

'Shakuntala Devi'

Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra

Director: Anu Menon

Rating: Three out of five stars

The specs

Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor

Power: 320bhp

Torque: 605Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh219,000

On sale: Now

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Kumulus Water

Started: 2021

Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid

Based: Tunisia

Sector: Water technology

Number of staff: 22

Investment raised: $4 million

Company%20Profile

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